Project Summary

The Arab Fund for Arts & Culture (AFAC) was created in 2006 to address the need for independent funding of arts and culture in the region as well as the need for a fund not affiliated with one government, one institution or one donor, with the aim of producing independent content. Over its first 4 years, AFAC has provided 216 grants in over 19 countries. In December 2010 it selected 54 new projects, ranging from supporting the Iraqi pavilion at the Venice Biennale, to a small curated project in a townhouse in Egypt. Inviting submissions through an open call, the Fund has recently devised a programme to respond more specifically to the prevalent themes running through the applications it receives. For example, in 2010 AFAC launched the Arab Documentary Film Programme for which it will allocate funding for 15 documentary films.

Presentation Proposal

The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) envisions a thriving Arab art and cultural scene that is confident in its expression, accessible to all and sustained locally by committed patrons. By engaging artists and cultural practitioners, educating patrons on the social impact of arts and culture, advising stakeholders on necessary interventions and supporting projects with direct independent funding, AFAC will play a leading role in achieving this vision, serving as a model and catalyst for home-grown philanthropic initiatives across the Arab world. While maintaining the general open call for proposals, which ensures equal access for applicants and provides a continuous barometer for the state of arts and culture in the region, AFAC is launching additional programmes. These include initiatives to support cultural production in specific genres that exist on the peripheries of classical cultural expressions, as well as programmes that will engage new artistic constituents and resonate with a broader audience.

Speaker

Oussama Rifahi joined the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture as Executive Director in July 2010. Previously, he was Managing Director for Museum Development in New York with Global Culture Asset Management, and has provided cultural consultancy services to governments, cities, foundations and private collectors in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and South America. From 2003 to 2006 Rifahi was Project Manager at Mubadala in Abu Dhabi, seconded as advisor to the chairman of TDIC, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan. Rifahi managed the market analysis, strategy definition and development of the business model for tourism and culture in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and supported the architectural developments on Saadiyat Island and initial negotiations between Abu Dhabi, the Louvre Museum and the Guggenheim.

December 2011

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